Christian Climate Action is celebrating after the National Trust passed a landmark resolution at their AGM to enter a tendering process to seek a banking partner which demonstrates a positive commitment to reducing human-induced climate change.
CCA members joined members of the Climate Choir Movement in singing a song of thanks when the result of the vote was announced at the AGM on Saturday 7th November.
The vote follows years of campaigning by National Trust members from Christian Climate Action and other climate and environmental groups.
Backed by both the National Trust’s membership and its Board of Trustees, the successful members’ resolution follows criticism of Barclays PLC’s role as Europe’s largest fossil fuel financier.
Supporters across the country had been visiting National Trust properties throughout the summer to raise public awareness of Christian Climate Action’s ‘Love the National Trust not Barclays’ campaign, and had organised a pilgrimage through nearby National Trust land the day before the meeting.
Campaigners were present both inside and outside the meeting which took place in the Steam Museum in Swindon, where the National Trust has its headquarters, in a celebratory mood. Handshakes and hugs were shared.
Drew James, a proposer of the resolution and member of Christian Climate Action, said:
“This result highlights a profound shift in NGO accountability. Civil Society looks to charities, universities, and faith groups to sever ties with financial institutions failing to match their ethical standards.
“This motion paves the way the way for the National Trust to leave Barclays. We hope that the National Trust will take this opportunity to bank more ethically.”
Campaigners argue that the high-street banking giant’s shared brand with Barclays’ investment arm’s multi-billion-pound underwriting of oil & gas expansion undermines the Trust’s core conservation mission.
The resolution read:
“This meeting demands that the Trustees instruct our finance officers to begin a competitive tendering process for banking arrangements as soon as practicable. The criteria used must seek a bank which has a moral and ethical outlook in keeping with National Trust core values, and whose corporate lending and underwriting practices demonstrate a positive commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and reducing human-induced climate change.”
